News & Announcements

All Upper Grand DSB schools are closed

All Upper Grand DSB schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least May 4, 2020. All UGDSB buildings and grounds are closed to the public. We will continue to share updates as we receive them.

Important Information and Resources:

Letter to parents: UGDSB Learning at Home (April 3, 2020)

Posted April 3, 2020

A letter from the Director of Education regarding the board’s distance learning program is posted on the board website.

Special Education, Equity and Learning at Home

Posted April 3, 2020

Preliminary information from the board on student access to devices and technology, SEA equipment, hands-on based learning ideas, and more.

Notice of cancelled and postponed school events

Posted April 1, 2020

Due to the extension of school closures in Ontario, the UGDSB has decided to cancel or postpone a number of school based events.

Important letter from the Minister of Education to parents (March 31, 2020)

Posted April 1, 2020

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce has written an important letter for all Ontario parents and guardians, regarding the extension of school closures in Ontario and information on distance learning for students.

Ontario school closures extended until at least May

Posted March 31, 2020

On Tuesday March 31, 2020, the Premier of Ontario announced that in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all schools in Ontario will remain closed until at least May 1 for staff and May 4 for students. Premier Ford also said that the province is prepared to extend the school closures even further if required.

IMPORTANT Information from School

Posted March 30, 2020

To request your child's password reset, please email the school. The school's email address can be found at the very top right corner of this webpage. Please be sure to include your child's full name as well as the name of their homeroom teacher.

Reminder: All UGDSB playgrounds are closed

Posted March 28, 2020

A reminder to all members of our school communities that in alignment with municipal closures around COVID-19, all Upper Grand DSB schoolyard play structures are closed.

Parents please read: Distance learning and staff reaching out to families

Posted March 27, 2020

A letter from the Director of Education has been posted to the board website (Friday March 27, 2020). The letter contains important information regarding the board’s distance learning plan and information about staff reaching out to families.

Letter to Parents from the Director: Continuity of Learning (March 23, 2020)

Posted March 23, 2020

Parents and guardians are asked to read the letter from the Director of Education, posted to the board website on March 23, 2020.

Important letter from the Minister of Education to parents (March 22, 2020)

Posted March 23, 2020

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce has written an important letter for all Ontario parents and guardians, March 22, 2020.

School closures: Information for UGDSB families regarding COVID-19

Posted March 13, 2020

The province has ordered all publicly funded schools in Ontario to close for two weeks following March Break, in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19. As a result, Upper Grand DSB schools will be closed from March 14 to April 5, 2020.

Please read: Information for UGDSB schools regarding international travel and COVID-19

Posted March 12, 2020

With March Break approaching, many families and staff have questions about international travel and precautions required upon returning from travel. A letter with travel advice from Public Health is posted on the UGDSB website.

March 2020 Newsletter

Posted March 2, 2020

Included in our March Newsletter- An Upcoming Event: LET’S TALK (NOT TEXT) ABOUT SCREEN TIME Are screens the new smoking? Parents and students are invited to learn more about the many impacts of screens on our lives and how we might foster a healthier relationship with them. Come and join us Thursday, ...

Read more about March 2020 Newsletter »

February 2020 Newsletter

Posted January 31, 2020

Our John Black students and families continue to support the community through many worthwhile initiatives including the Clothing Swap and Battery Drive. February 2020 Newsletter

Information for parents/guardians about coronavirus

Posted January 27, 2020

Information for UGDSB parents and guardians regarding coronavirus.

Important letter regarding Term 1 Report Cards

Posted January 22, 2020

Please read for important information about the impact current provincial job action will have on elementary Term 1 report cards.

School Council Movie Night is coming

Posted January 20, 2020

Join us on Thursday, January 30th for Toy Story 4. Doors open at 6:00pm. The movie starts at 6:30pm. Enjoy a night out with your family. FREE ADMISSION * MOVIE RAFFLE * FOOD & BEVERAGES PIZZA, HOT DOGS, POPCORN, CHIPS, CANDY & DRINKS FOR SALE PRE-ORDER PIZZA & HOT DOG COMBOS & SNACKS ...

Important information about the Transportation website during strikes

Posted January 20, 2020

Please read for important information about student transportation (busing) communication during a strike that results in the closure of schools to students.

NEW DATE: JK Registration & French Immersion On-Time Application Window

Posted January 10, 2020

The French Immersion on-time application deadline has been extended to Monday January 20, 2020, at 4 p.m.

Get Involved and Make A Difference with our Battery Drive

Posted January 10, 2020

Did you know that each AA battery also contains enough zinc to save 6 lives? Help John Black make a difference in the lives of so many people around the world. Battery Drive

The Great Clothing Swap is coming

Posted January 6, 2020

Out with the old and in with the new “to you” . Coming to John Black on January 29th. Clothing Swap 2020

Kindergarten Registration begins January 7th, 2020.

Posted January 6, 2020

Registration for new UGDSB JK and SK students for September 2020 will take place at your child’s home school from January 7-17, 2020.

Guelph Nighthawks Basketball opportunity – May 12, 2020

Posted December 16, 2019

John Black has been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to attend a Guelph Nighthawks Basketball game on May 12th. The game is being held during the school day. We will be offering this to Junior and Intermediate students that are interested in going. We only have a certain ...

Picture Re-take Day Rescheduled

Posted December 3, 2019

Picture re-takes have been rescheduled to this Friday morning. Please have students bring the original package with them on Friday. Any student who missed the initial photo day can have their picture taken as well.

Do you have a child starting JK or SK in September 2020?

Posted November 19, 2019

The Upper Grand District School Board is hosting four Kindergarten registration INFORMATION nights in November and December 2019.

Severe Inclement Weather Days

Posted November 14, 2019

Now that the winter weather is here, a reminder on Transportation's and the school board's procedures and communication methods on severe inclement weather days: https://www.ugdsb.ca/schools/inclement-weather-procedures/

Important information regarding WHY Survey – a joint survey between UGDSB and WDG Public Health

Posted November 8, 2019

This year Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health are collecting information on student health and well-being from youth, parents and school staff. The Well-Being and Health Youth Surveys are designed to help us understand how well we are doing creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments in our schools. It also provides important information about the physical and mental health of youth in our area.